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Creativity vs Decency… What is Fashion Design Really About?!

Creativity vs Decency… What is Fashion Design Really About?!

by | Dec 5, 2013 | Fashion Beyond Stitches

So sometime last week, I was catching up on old posts and pictures in a Blackberry Group when I stumbled on this picture with its title: “Wardrobe Malfunction or Designer Error”.

Ok I must warn you, the picture is quite…. errr…. (a-hem!) not quite sure which word to use but anyway you see for yourself…


Picture taken from a Blackberry Group


Ok initially I was wary about putting up this picture but then again the lady wore it to a red carpet event where she expected to be photographed so she was showing off the outfit…. which I must confess is quite eye-catching… 

NOW I wasn’t really phased by the picture.  I have seen similar outfits on the catwalk so it wasn’t that much of a big deal to me.  What really caught my eye were the comments.  In expressing my opinion about whether fashion was more about creativity or decency, I got the following response from one of the contributors:

“Fashion is about creativity but creativity (in fashion) should be decent”.

Question is… who really is to blame?  The designer for creating the outfit or the lady for wearing it?!  Clearly from this statement, the designer… for creating the outfit.  And this is where I beg to differ!

Make no mistakes, I was also stunned when I saw the outfit… but more because of the size of the person wearing it.  Putting morals aside, I thought it was a pretty interesting and strategic use of fabrics and strips.  Believe it or not, you can try to see through those strips but you cannot actually see anything.  Which I think is pretty creative.  If a much thinner person had worn it, it may not have evoked as much negative emotions.

For me, I believe designers are entitled to use their creative abilities the way they deem fit.  Granted it may not be your style or your design philosophy but that does not make it wrong.  As I said, putting morals and religion aside.

It’s the same way I am amazed when watching a runway show and I get comments from designers on how “unwearable” a garment is.  And I’m thinking to myself, then clearly you have no clue what runway shows are about.

The runway is a concept which showcases ideas and creativity.  Whilst some designers choose to put wearable clothes on to make direct sales, others are more about showing what they can do if given a piece of material, be it fabric, chains, metal or even recharge cards.  Because you choose to use it a certain way does not mean everyone else should.

And on the subject of decency, many are quick to pull the “it’s not in our culture card”.  Well for those who know a lot about culture (and I am not pretending I do), let’s not forget many women (and men for that matter) tie only wrappers whilst others go topless in cultural dances.  Case in point:

vs
http://sirismm.si.edu/eepa/eep/eepa_02757.jpg

So anywayz, before I digress, yes we live in a very conservative environment, but we really should keep an open mind…especially with respect to people’s work.  I have no issues with critique… or better put… constructive criticism.  Yes I may not design it or wear it, but I think the person did a good job.  If I had to bring in morals and decency, I would say s/he could have used a fabric with more weight or lined it.  But that’s not my call.  It’s theirs.  Besides… the work may not look as nice if it was lined.

As for the lady… well… as someone else said… she wanted to get the attention and she succeeded… “because we’re talking about her”.  Mission accomplished! 😀

Have a great day people!

Food for Thought… Salary vs Enjoyment

Food for Thought… Salary vs Enjoyment

by | Nov 20, 2013 | Fashion Beyond Stitches

So whilst searching for pictures on my previous post on Salary vs Commission Payment, I stumbled upon this picture:

http://lamisphere.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/salary-vs-enjoyment.jpg

I thought it was pretty interesting especially the “Creatives” section…

You can read the rest of the article here:

http://lamisphere.com/2009/02/10/salary-vs-enjoyment/

Real food for thought…
Torn Between Entrepreneurship & Employment

Torn Between Entrepreneurship & Employment

by | Aug 14, 2013 | Fashion Beyond Stitches

http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/donskarpo/donskarpo1204/donskarpo120400003/13012786-career-cross-roads-concept-compass-with-red-word-and-two-arrows-on-white-background.jpg

So I’m chatting to a Blackberry contact about her intention to register for the Foundation Course when she suddenly asks me this question out of the blue:

__________________

“Do you think it is worthwhile for a young graduate from another discipline entirely to stick to fashion design without first working at her own qualification or you’ll rather advise that such a fellow works for a number of years and fall back to the fashion industry?”

The reason is I have 2 degrees in a completely unrelated field from fashion and I do have a bias for what I studied.  After a long series of processes, a company has called me for a position in this field but I do not want to let go of my fashion business.  I have built it to a certain level and have a steady clientele but I also want to have a feel of the organizational structure out there to justify my many years of academic hard work.

Unfortunately, I do not have a business system that can run without me in place yet.  I have been doing 70% of the work so right now, without me my business cannot continue.  I have a family and young children to take care of, with the huge demands of the type of work, with the possibility of working weekends, and my family commitments, I will have no time for the business.

Some have opined that I can hardly combine work and my business altogether effectively.  What do I do? :_(“

_________________(edited to protect the identity of the contact).

Don’t worry she’s aware I’m posting this as I asked her permission.  I try not to break my code of confidentiality but I thought it would help to post this since I am sure many people out there are facing this same predicament (even if not in the field of fashion).  

This is not the first time people have sought my opinion on similar matters and my heart really went out to her.  I could really identify with her predicament and can only imagine how tough the decision must be for her.  However, I did not bat an eyelid when I gave her the following response…

“So I think you have your answer then.  A business which cannot survive without its owner  is not a business (at least in the long run I should have added).  So you need to learn how to create structures in your business.  With the demands of this new job, it will be tough!    


I suggest you weigh your options carefully.  It is a great opportunity but you need to know what is more important to you.  You can choose to work there for a while, say 2 years tops!  That experience will help you gather the funds and knowledge you need to take your business to the next level”.

And that is pretty much the advice I have given to others who also asked me the same questions in the past.

I have always being a firm believer in work experience.  When I left school, there was this mad rush for Masters Degrees and other qualifications!  My dad pretty much hassled  me about some form of Masters Degree but I refused!  I knew I wanted to work!  I loved the idea of being independent, earning my own money but more importantly, I knew I wanted to run my business someday.  So my plan was to work somewhere for a while and study the structures in a professional environment so I could apply the same principles to my business.  And I am thankful I did!  A lot of what I know now and the contacts that have been largely instrumental to my business today have been from the places I have worked.

Whilst the prospect of being an entrepreneur is very appealing, that work experience to me is key!  But then again, this particular situation is quite peculiar.

1.  She has 2 degrees in a certain course; 
2.  She wants to work in a field related to what she studied since she has a bias for that field;
3.  She would like to justify her years of study by working in that field (not a really valid argument in the scheme of things.  I know enough people who studied a Course and are currently doing something else and are better off for it); 
4.  She is a practising fashion designer with a steady clientele and revenue; and 
5.  She has a family to consider and the work hours vis-a-vis her current lifestyle would be detrimental to her family life.

Hmmnnnn… pretty tough one!  Looking from the outside in, I would ask 3 questions:

– how long she can sustain the business if she’s the only one doing all the work; 
– why she is the only one doing all the work; and
– if she has put in business structures in place in her current fashion business.

As for me, I vote for taking the job because of its obvious benefits (the work experience and the money she can save to move her business to the next level) but then again, she does have a family, business and clients to consider.  Though the truth is, if she’s still so good, her clients will come back and she would have gained even more knowledge to better manage the business.

And who says she even needs to shut down entirely. She can still run it on the side on a low scale and make it easier by outsourcing production or training someone to handle affairs for her while she’s at work.  Perhaps if she does this, she’ll come to the realization that things can happen in her absence and she never really needed to sew the garments herself.  I have never been an advocate of designers / entrepreneurs being at the sewing machine… at least not all the time.  You’ll never do anything else… But then again outsourcing production or training employees does have its hassles.

But I still vote for her taking the job.  I think work experience is key and I’m sure she can make it work if she’s determined to.  Some companies even prefer work experience over qualifications.  And she should not think of it as letting herself down.  I know of a facilitator who once told us she took up a management position because she reached a stage when she got bored.  But her case was different… her company could run itself in her absence. 🙁

Truth is, it really is a tough one and I wish I had a simple answer.  But each decision has its own consequences and it appears my fingers are tied on this one.  

Her solution to this predicament?  I would say “pray about it” and weigh the options with her husband.  The answers will come when she least expects it…they always do!

If you have any advice for her, you can post them here or send me an e-mail and I will forward it to her.

Many thanks!

PS!  Don’t forget the Foundation Course coming up.  Registrations are still on and I am looking forward to it.

Cheers!

A Frustrated Entrepreneur’s Take on the “Freebie” Mentality

by | Aug 5, 2013 | Fashion Beyond Stitches

So I’m going through my e-mails this morning and came across this hilarious e-mail from Efe Imiren of Serviceforts.com.  As hilarious as it was though, I could completely identify with the guy’s frustration as s/he typed it out.  
 
But anywayz, Efe’s E-Mail titled: “What To Do When People Don’t Value Your Ideas” speaks for itself.  I, for one, can completely identify with his frustration.  I lifted it as is so you read it and decide if the writer is justified.  
 
—————-
 

 

This email summarizes what successful Internet and information marketing business owners go through on a daily basis – and

I am sharing it with you for TWO reasons:

1) if you own an internet business, don’t give up, take a cue from this writer
2) if you are one of such customers described in this writers’ email – you know what to do – just click the blessed unsubscribe link, but I know you my readers are not one the folks described in the email below, I trust you

I’m just sharing the mail with you so you know you are not alone when you experience difficult customers at your job or business

Enjoy the mail!

————————


From: An Angry Internet Marketer (Name With-held)
Email Title: Get off my list!!!

Am angry…yes really angry

The last thing i will ever want to
do is send promotional emails to
someone who does not want it.

I cant imagine at this age people cant reason..
You sign up to receive more information on
how to better your financial life..You were
not forced,

You also went ahead to confirm your subscription..
so now i send you messages on what you optin for.

You start complaining…You want it to be free

Mike Adenuga is rich enough to
make glo calls #1 per minute.
But he wont why because we all want more….
And the same fools who want free things will
buy glo cards everyday

i mean is it not craziness why on this earth will
you want to make money without any commitment
its never done anywhere.

I spend thousands of naira on my
Internet business even though
its not my only source of income.

i pay autoresponder bills
i pay hosting bills
i buy marketing course that increase my knowledge
i go to workshop hosted by senior colleagues
i pay monthly browsing subscription on my
visafone modem{i dont use free browsing}

Infact i just spent 100,000 on a 
project am working on presently

I spend tons of naira advertising my business

why i do all these is i know i want to make profit…
so i have to spend……

Anyone that wants me to give out my strategies for free
must be sick upstairs.

In fact why should i do it for free,
Do i know you from adam?
am i running a charity organization or a NGO?
Did you not pay school fee in school?

So why should i teach you things that
will better your life for free

I am not forcing you,if you are not interested in my stuff
go below this email and unsubscribe.. Yes get off my list!

I don’t want you on my list if you are under 18 years
I don’t want you on my list if you are looking for 
free things; because you will never get it
Dont give me that crap that you are student..i dont care

Mind you i am an Engineer by profession
Run internet business part time.
and have other email list that pays my bills too.

So why do i need you, in fact i don’t…
so get off by using the unsubscribe
link below this email

Final words—
I would not entertain any
whining after this warning.

Get off my list!!!!!!!!!

——————————

Gosh, This fellow must have been really-really upset. But if you notice his email, he also gave you tips on the tools you need for your internet business and also a rough  estimate of how much it costs to run a successful internet and information marketing business.

Anyways, take a cue from Oscar Wilde’s advise today “To Live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people only Exist”

Live your internet business dreams today, and don’t let cranky customers dissuade you, they come with the business.

Have loads of fun on your job or business today.

Cheers

Efe Imiren.

You can help stop the Nigerian-browser freebie mentality, by spreading the word that –
a life of quality does not come cheap, it comes with bills to be paid. 🙂 by Efe Imiren.

 

 
————–
 
Haha!  Well… what says you?!  I also feel that way sometimes when people criticize me and pretty much all businesses for charging for certain services they “believe” should be free.  Only difference is I may rant and rave in private.  But truth is, many who expect freebies seem to forget that:  
 
1.  Time is money!
2.  People are running businesses and there are bills to be paid.
3.  Those who provide these services have invested a lot of time, energy and funds acquiring the knowledge you expect them to give you for free which I believe is entirely unfair.  In other countries, students take out loans to fund their education.
 
My take on this is I believe we live in an overly-indulgent environment where people expect things for free.  You are in traffic or go to the market and some person approaches you for a hand out or worse, tries to intimidate you into giving him money.  Others feel they are entitled to your hard-earned money!  
 
I can never forget an experience I had a long time ago when the CBN asked everyone to trade in their 5 kobo and 10 kobo coins for the new 50 kobo and N1 coins.  A “beggar” came in with 2 salt bags filled with coins and walked straight to a corner where she had already laid out like 4 large rectangular trays filled with rows and columns of prior-arranged coins.  I thought to myself…. “my goodness, this woman has more money than those she is begging from”.  I was sure I had even probably given her a 5k coin before and I didn’t have nearly as much money as she had.  That completely changed my view on giving beggars money.
 
When my nieces were around, they kept complaining about the money I was spending on them and even offered to pay me back for the money I spent on hotdogs and drinks at the movies…. and the oldest was 11.  But not the average kid around here.  In fact, dare I say, they’ll complain that what you have bought them is not enough.  Question is who exactly is to blame for this mindset?
 

My standard answer to people who claim “designers charge too much” is well… you have no idea what costs they are incurring, what their rent is, what they pay their staff, etc.  And what I say to those who charge too little based on conscience or so they appeal to customers is, well… I hope you are making ends meet.  A student of mine once shared her experience at an FEC last year when she said after 6 months, she and her partners realized they only made a N20,000 profit on their fish-farming business.  So sharply, they woke up to the reality and adjusted their prices accordingly.

 
What I try to live by is, yes I may feel a product or a service is pricey but I will never use the terms “It is too expensive”.  What I say is “Well, I cannot afford it yet” and try to put myself in the person’s shoes.  In an environment where there is hardly ever any electricity, running a tiny 4-litre “I better pass my neighbor” Tiger gen for 8 hours a day, 5 working days a week, 4 weeks a month would cost N7,760 and this excludes your outrageous PHCN bill, your employee wages or salaries, your rent, your Blackberry service, your phone bills, your water bills, your transportation costs, your feeding, and all other associated costs.  So go figure!  
 
The interesting thing is, though I have no clue what this person was charging on what would definitely generate income for the subscriber, it probably is much cheaper than what the average subscriber to his/her mails spends on concerts, entertainment, movies, hair and nails.
 
Anywayz, I can go on and on about this but I better stop now.  Looks like my internet service provider seems to be having a “lucid interval” so I better take advantage of it now.  I have been unable to access the internet pretty much since the month started!  Yet subscription fees paid will not be refunded when the period expires.  At least now you know why the average person around here has at least 2 phones and 2 ISPs.  Some have lines on all networks!  Very sad and a “low-down dirty shame” that we pay so much for services those in Western countries take for granted and never get our money’s worth! >-(
 
Have a great week ahead!

A Strange Form of Encouragement…

by | Jul 29, 2013 | Fashion Beyond Stitches

…to those of us (and that includes me) getting pretty frustrated that things seem to be taking too long;
…to the impatient ones who expect that things will take off overnight; and
…to all who criticize and discourage those trying to reach that goal by passing cutting remarks and unconstructive criticisms…

Take solace in my notable quote for the day…

“I look at my earlier notes and I laugh. I thought I would start my research in January 2009 and launch in September 2009. I laugh really hard at this because it took three years in the end.”

– Suzan Wokabi  
In the article “Selling Beauty to Kenyans” by Ventures Africa; 21st July, 2013

After my initial sigh on reading this, my inner voice said to me:

“Remember that Rome was not built in a day, the pyramids pretty much took forever to build and it must have taken the Isrealites ages to cross the Red Sea.” 

Good to know that I’m still on track (and you probably are as well).

You can read the rest of the article on:

http://www.ventures-africa.com/2013/07/suzie-wokabi-bringing-beauty-to-the-kenyan-market/

Oh… PS: Here’s me wishing my elder sister, Omolara, a very happy birthday!!!  She’s the one who did most of the work at the wedding.  The development of the theme and eventual coordination of both events, the sourcing, purchasing and shipping in of 90% of the decor items, right down to the center pieces, disposable plates and cutlery, paper doilies, serviettes and even the bouquet.  All I did was ask for something and it was ordered and paid for.   

All I can do right now on this special day is to wish you the very best of all you and your family have ever prayed for and pray for God’s mercies always!  God bless you!  MWAH!
Lessons to Learn from 2 Year Olds…

Lessons to Learn from 2 Year Olds…

by | Jun 12, 2013 | Fashion Beyond Stitches

Pictures obtained from Blackberry contacts
 
Pretty inspiring pictures right?  Yes I thought so too.  I stumbled upon them in my picture library a few minutes ago… pictures I had saved because they taught me a very important lesson.  And since there is love in sharing, I decided to share them on my blog! 😀
 

How did I get them?  Amazing tool that Blackberry thingy is.  I was going through my contacts’ Blackberry display pictures sometime last year when I saw this picture my friend put up of her niece.  I was so inspired by the picture, I immediately used it as my own dp as well (with permission of course) and soon after, another contact sent me a picture of his nephew doing the exact same thing.

 
Amazing lessons one learns from people we are meant to teach right?  It’s all about the “can-do” and “must-do” attitude… without thinking too hard of what the consequences may be.  Simply put, taking risks!  Many of us would not dare… I know right now, I would think 10 times before attempting such.  But no wonder some of us are still busy making plans when all we need to do is “just do it”!  The whole “what if” so consumes us, we forget that it is not so difficult to backtrack.
 
Bringing this down to our work and personal lives, I have chatted to many people who know they should be doing something else or making other moves but are too scared to take the plunge.  And with good reason too.  But we end up spending valuable time overanalyzing so much that before we know it, it’s a New Year and we are still making the same resolutions we made 5 years earlier.  
 
For me, I am the kind of person who takes the plunge and thankfully, so far, it has worked out.  Yes I have had my fingers burnt many times but I have learnt from the mistakes made and moved on.  When I left accounting for fashion, I did not really have much of a long-term plan.  All I knew was that it was something I wanted to do and worked towards it, giving myself a timeframe.  At the time I applied for the visa, I had no clue who would pay the tuition fees but I still forged ahead (with lots of prayers obviously), knowing one way or the other, it would work out.  And when I got the travel documents, there was no turning back.  Till tomorrow, I have no regrets and I am thankful everyday.  Done it, did it, liked it, loved it!
 
I know many of us have heard talk like this before so it’s nothing new.  For those considering a career in the fashion industry or any other industry for that matter, I am not saying what worked for me will also work for you.  But at least, make the move.  You can use your spare time to get the knowledge you require and work towards it.  You will be glad you did.  And if you don’t like it or you get burnt, well, at least you have learnt from it.  You know what they say… “better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all”.  At least now you know!
 
For these kids, they probably had not considered how to get through the door.  The major concern is getting the door open first.  I am sure they eventually got through the door somehow.  Worst case, they would have fallen, bumped their heads, cried their eyes out (or not… if no one’s watching) and moved on!  And that’s the way life works!  You have to try it!  That’s what makes living fun and gives you enough stories to tell.  As long as you “let go and let God”, you’ll be surprised how easy things will work out for you.
 
Many many many thanks and do enjoy the rest of your week!
 
Cheers!Â